Angels Making Music

This is a detail from a work by French painter Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674).

Joseph's Dream

In this painting, Francisco de Goya (1746 - 1828) shows the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream. The Gospel of Matthew records an angel appearing in a dream to Joseph three times: when he learns that Mary has become pregnant, in a warning to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt after the wise men depart, and to let him know when it is safe to return home with Mary and Jesus.

The Announcement to the Shepherds

In this illustration, William Blake (1757-1827) shows the angels' announcement to the shepherds:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Angel with Lute

We not only live among men, but there are airy hosts, blessed spectators, sympathetic lookers-on, that see and know and appreciate our thoughts and feelings and acts. --Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

In 1828 Friedrich Wilhelm Schadow (1789-1862) portrayed Mignon, a character created by Goethe for his Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship.

Music-making angels

This detail of a work by German painter Hans Memling (c. 1430-1494) shows angel musicians. It is the right portion of a triptych.

The Annunciation

Circa 1490, Sandro Botticelli painted this large tempera on panel, which is about 150x156 cm. In Gabriel's left hand he holds the stem of a lily, the flowers of which are visible over his left shoulder.

Gabriel Comes to Mary

The archangel Gabriel is shown in this portion of a fresco by 14th century Italian painter Lippo Vanni. Although Vanni is known as an illuminator of manuscripts and a miniaturists, he did some larger scale work, as well. This piece is in San Leonardo al Lago, a small church near Siena.

Singing Angels

This image of singing angels decorates the letter "C" in the illuminated manuscript of a psalter. The psalter was made by Jean Maillart for presentation to Henry VIII. Read a blog entry, Inside the Mind of a Tyrant, which includes some interesting observations about the Psalter.

Guardian Angel

This painting by German artist Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1805-1874) shows an angel guarding a sleeping child.

The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us. --Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)

Angel Carrying an Infant

This is a painting by Simeon Solomon (1840-1905).

Perhaps there are no artistic representations that appeal to a greater number of people, of all possible types, than do those of angels...--Clara Erskine Waters

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Waters wrote a series of handbooks about art and travel.

The Annunciation

This painting by Fra Angelico (c.1395-1455) captures the moment when the Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary:

“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1, 28

Madonna Enthroned

Every breath of air and ray of light and heat, every beautiful prospect, is, as it were, the skirts of their garments, the waving of the robes of those whose faces see God. --Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

This is a detail from Madonna Enthroned by Giotto di Bondone, painted c. 1310.

The Annunciation

This painting of the Annunciation was done by Nicolas Poussin in 1657. Read the story of the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke.

Raphael with Tobias

This 16th century painting by a follower of Titian shows the Archangel Raphael with Tobias as they set out on a journey. No wings are visible on Raphael; he is in the guise of a human. Wikipedia describes the story.

Music-making angel

We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds. --Anton Chekhov

Edward Burne-Jones painted this image around 1860.